Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters
      Tiantay Washington
      Janette Nichols
      November 21, 2010

      Big Brother Big Sister programs are located all over the United States. Many of these programs are community based and center around helping and mentoring children from ages 5 to 17 years of age. This program is the largest and oldest of its kind in the United States and has been deemed the most effective youth mentoring organization. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri was founded locally, in 1914 making it the 12th largest as far as size of the 470 partnerships it has formed. The sole purpose of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is to give mentor’s to each child who may want or need one and to successfully form positive relationships that leave a lasting impact on each of them.
      The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri has been effective as a youth mentoring organization in decreasing the likely hood of children to use illegal drugs, to use alcohol, skip school, skip class, etc. Children within the organization assigned to a BBBS were also found to be more confident than before in their performance involving schoolwork. In the areas of alcohol and substance abuse, the impact was the greatest. All of these things were met within 18 months. Looking at this program, I see it being used as more of a prevention method rather than a diversion program.
      I say this because the program is so broadly based and it focuses more of its time on meeting the most basic developmental needs of youths and not so much towards problems after the fact. Just by doing chores together, playing sports, eating out, or just hanging out with their BBBS gave them something to look forward to and showed them that someone actually does care about them and their futures. It helped them to avoid being caught up in a gang, drug use, and avoidance of violence or negativity. Having someone special to look up to and confide in makes them feel better...